The phrase "most anticipated" gets thrown around a lot, and certainly in this community it gets stuck on just about everything from Kickstarters to paint brushes!Well Games Workshop have really hit it out of the park this time by not only taking what would seem on the surface a fairly esoteric army and putting it in the limelight. Forge World's success with the Mechanicus range seemed to good to be true for GW, so they took a mighty leap into the Mechanicus camp with these very nice looking miniatures, the Skitarii and support walkers.As I said earlier this week, this is a return to form for the Skitarii who in more recent times have become like something almost akin to Servitors. A far cry from their earlier status as brave human warriors!So this week's White Dwarf spends a considerable amount of time and page space to the Skitarii, rightly so for an army that some players may never have heard of!Considering the pretty rough releases for Khorne, then amount off effort and skill that has gone into these guys is almost an indictment on the fact that GW CAN do quality product!

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I don't generally include this contents page, but I thought it was interesting for two reasons: the new Citadel Technical Paint Martian Iron Earth and the Leadbelcher Spray.In and of themselves not unusual for a major release, but what is interesting, in Australia at least, neither were included on the "Pre Orders" section of the Games Workshop website either as a normal Pre Order or as part of the Skitarii range. I know because I would have ordered them this morning if I'd known!

The Skitarii Vanguard are the infantry of the Adeptus Mechanicus. They are physically altered to withstand the battlefields with which the Technocrats of Mars send them. These miniatures carry the tradition of many years of dark imaginings from the minds of John Blanche and Jes Goodwin and many many more. Their almost medieval helmets and steampunk look so intricately done. These are amazing miniatures - at least at this distance. The new weapons are also interesting - the Plasma Caliver. SO AWESOME!!

The Skitarii Rangers are a look more familiar to fans of the 40K Universe, their cowls almost synonymous these days with the look of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Sharing a great many parts with the Skitarii Vanguard, this is the other option in the dual kit box. The rather unusual main armament is the Galvanic Rifle, a very archaic armament, but adds to the steampunk look.

The walkers have been a really interesting addition to the Skitarii forces this release. The Sydonian Dragoon is my favourite, a "knight" mounted on top of this large bipedal walker with a human symbiotic pilot/ engine. Creepy? Yes! An amazing design? YES!You can imagine units of these stalking across the battlefield around the feet of Warlord Titans! Will be really interesting to see this next to the Imperial Knight as a size comparison. That Imperial Knight is starting to look smaller and smaller!

The Ironstrider Ballistarius serves as fire support for the infantry units. Although effectively the same, this doesn't strike me as nearly as cool as the Sydonian, looking more like ti could be part of the Sisters of Battle!

Other Skitarii related releases thsi week include the transfer sheet which seems packed with all kinds of stuff... and for $22 AUS you'd hope so! I can see this being used on all kinds of vehicles from across 40K!As mentioned before, Martian Ironearth and Leadbelcher Spray are also out next week. The Leadbelcher Spray is apparently limited, so grab it while it's... oh wait it's gone! * JOKE * Come on - work with me people!!

Off Skitarii for a minute - it's good to see Forge World finally getting some reasonably recent releases back into White Dwarf, with the Auxilia Ogryn, who frankly look like Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee to me!

This is the section on the background of the Skitarii, which upon reading is almost an exact copy of the very original 1st Edition background to the Imperial Guard! Have a read and then have a look back at the background of the original Imperial Guard. Yep - the hive gangs are back in the background of 40K!

Paint Splatter is quite a big one this week with 4 pages dedicated to the Skitarii.there's a few little bits and bobs in here, but not the highlight of the issue... unfortunately!

The rules for the new units are again displayed very well, effectively as if lifted from the much anticipated Codex. I must admit though, I'[m not too sure I want to get the Codex. I have this Beardy idea of the Skitarii in my head and I think if it's put differently in print I might just get a little Dark Eldar!

The Designers Notes here are interesting - again another one without any specific artist getting the credit/ blame. Interesting move by GW, making more about the whole and not about the individual. Have the Tyranids infested Games Workshop? In earlier issues of this incarnation of White Dwarf we saw a lot of individual creators get the limelight, not so anymore it seems...The breakdown of the Skitarii tech is interesting. Probably a touch over explained, but interesting if you need a road map to get to the local shops.In a bit of a plot twist, the Explorator Fleets get a bit of a write up here too. I wonder if we will soon see Rogue Trader and retinue miniatures heading our way? There seems to be a bit of a buzz around :fleets" these last 6 months or so. I still say Battlefleet Gothic is on the way back!

Verdict

This is been a bit of an epic write up hasn't it? Sorry about that.So short and sweet?Buy this issue. Pretty pictures, a fair bit to read. Go on. I won't tell!!-

Meanwhile, here are two videos Games Workshop uploaded today to further impress and inspire us!

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In a time before 40k, there was a band of men and women who took part in gaming without the corporate sensibilities of today. Take a step back with us and also look upon the future through wizened eyes and curious ponderings of The Beardy Hammer!